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SUBARU NEWS

07/16
Car and Driver:
2009 Subaru WRX STI Spec C - Spied
Just as we were wondering how you could possibly make the Subaru WRX STI a little more expensive, we get spy shots of a Spec C version testing at the Nürburgring. With our long-term STI ringing in near $38,000, we can only imagine what a special edition might cost.
For those who may not know, the Spec C has become a little tradition of Subaru’s.
Long Term Test: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI- We welcome a black-and-gold hooligan for 40,000 miles.
From a somewhat ridiculously be-winged sedan to a bulging five-door hatchback with a friendlier ride and a much more inviting interior, the STI underwent quite a change in its maturing, second-generation transformation, even as its powertrain—a 305-hp turbo four and six-speed manual—carried over mostly intact. To see how this hooligan hatchback handles the miles—and to have a regular drift-friendly steed for the winter months—we ordered one up for a 40,000-mile long-term test.
Digital Arts: Smoke & Mirrors helps Subaru take flight
In the new Subaru spot Fly Out helmed by Oscar-nominated Shine director Scott Hicks via Carmichael Lynch, Smoke & Mirrors New York creative director Sean Broughton leads his VFX team in the creation of a bird sanctuary teeming with thousands of rare species.
Car Central (AU): Lighter and faster Subaru WRX STI Spec C caught testing
Rally-bred street cars like Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI and Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution aren’t just giving lip-service when they claim to be built from racing cars. The closeness of the connection is enhanced even further with special-edition homologation specials like the new Subaru WRX STI Spec C. The car has been built in limited numbers across several generations for most of the past decade, primarily to secure the race car’s eligibility for Group N World Rally Championship racing, and now a new generation is in the works, as these new spy photos reveal.
Yahoo! Finance: Subaru Forester Named to Forbes.com 'Ten Toughest Cars on the Road' List
The Subaru Forester has been named to Forbes.com 'Ten Toughest Cars on the Road' list. The all-new Forester continues to garner awards from leading publications and in the month of June posted a 41% increase in sales over the same month the previous year.
The Independent (IE): Sucking diesel at long last
Just as the new rates came into effect at the beginning of this month I got my first taste of Subaru's first diesel engine, which is based on 40 years of the company's famous 'boxer' engine technology.
New York Times: A Small Hauler Crosses the Line
FOLLOWING the curves and dips of Lake Road in the 2009 Subaru Forester it is hard to imagine what it must have been like on this two-lane in the 1920s, trying to outrun the feds in a big Cadillac weighed down by cases of Canadian booze.
Journal Gazette: Forester edges to mainstream
From the beginning, the Subaru Forester has danced to a different drummer from the other compact SUV/Crossovers. Its unique styling and drivetrain have set it apart from the crowd through the first two generations. For 2009, the Forester moves a step or two toward the middle of the stream, but staying close enough to the edges to hold on to its loyal fans.
PR- Cananda: Crash & Sue's Puts the Petal to the Metal for Subaru WRX STi's New Web & Broadcast Spots
Crash & Sue's editor Carrie Shanahan captured the turbocharged Subaru Impreza WRX STi’s many “Adrenaline” moments in a package of broadcast and web spots from Carmichael Lynch/Minneapolis. The dynamic commercials build upon the vehicle’s rally car heritage, targeting consumers who want to be part of the WRX STi’s tradition of speed and performance.
C|net: Driving happily in a Subaru on Road Trip 2008
I was sitting in a Costco here Wednesday night, waiting to have four new tires put on my 2001 Subaru Outback--after literally having just spent $900 on a tune-up and several other items. Paradoxically, I was thinking that Subaru makes a pretty good car.

07/01
Edmunds Inside Line: Subaru Unveils Stella Plug-in EV
The parade of green vehicles en route to the Group of 8 Summit next month in Hokkaido continues with the release of the Subaru Stella plug-in electric concept. Subaru said it will provide five copies of the Stella EV for use at the G8 summit on July 7-9, including a demonstrator for the international media.
Journal and Courier: Subaru gains as auto market sours
While several major auto manufacturers posted lower sales results last month, Subaru of America Inc. announced Tuesday that it achieved a 5 percent sales increase over June 2007.
Auto Channel: Redesigned Subaru Forester Becomes Consumer Reports' Top-Rated Small Sport-Utility Vehicle
July 1, 2008: The redesigned Subaru Forester emerged as Consumer Reports' new top-rated small sport-utility vehicle, following testing of seven SUVs for the August issue. The Toyota RAV4 had previously been top-ranked by CR in that category. The Forester 2.5XT Limited achieved an "Excellent" overall score in CR's battery of more than 50 tests at its Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. It outscored the previously-tested RAV4 Limited, which had been named a Consumer Reports Top Pick in its Annual April Auto Issue. The base Forester 2.5X also received an "Excellent" overall score and ranks closely behind the RAV4 Limited in CR's Ratings.
Carpages (UK): Subaru Impreza GB270 and Essex Police ANPR Team
The Essex Police ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) team, known as the ‘Interceptors’, has been taking high performance driving tuition from motorsport specialists, Prodrive.
Journal and Courier: New model reason for tire bay at SIA plant
A new facility at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette will create extra ease for the vehicle manufacturing. The 45,000-square-foot tire bay will be where the tires are applied to rims, said Jennifer McGarvey, group leader for communications. "We are preparing for a new model that is coming up," she said.
Automobile.com: Subaru's Next Legacy in Sight

06/25
Motor Trend: Subaru to present Plug-in Stella Concept to world leaders
Subaru will present several of its Plug-in Stella Concept vehicles to government and international authorities in attendance at next week's G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit on July 7-9 in Japan.  The ultra compact plug-in utilizes a version of the electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain employed by Subaru's R1e concept that made its debut in New York earlier this year.  A 40 kilowatt electric motor pushes out 150 Nm (110 lb-ft) of torque derived from advanced lithium ion batteries.  Four passengers have the ability to travel 80 km (50 miles) on a single charge and can hit a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).  
USA Today: Toyota raises stake in Subaru's parent
Fuji Heavy Industries said Friday it plans to sell shares worth $293 million to Toyota Motor, boosting the Japanese automaker's stake in the maker of Subaru cars to nearly 17%.
Autoblog: Subaru Exiga: Up close and personal
When we showed you Subaru's new MPV last week your response was pretty much unanimous: man that is fugly. The car's reception on the other side of the Pacific has been a lot warmer though, particularly for the headlights' signature blue flash; the only criticism is that it's taken Subaru way too long to get this car to market.
Motor Authority: Subaru showcases all-electric Stella Concept
Subaru has revealed a new electric concept vehicle at today’s G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Japan, and announced plans to build a limited run of five cars to undergo a new trial. The new prototype, dubbed the Plug-in Stella Concept, combines the electric powertrain from the R1e with the compact Stella platform.
Seattle Times: Second-growth Forester: A Northwest favorite
The Forester is such a Seattle granola kind of car, it should come with Subaru-logo socks and sandals. Its very name says it's a car for here, even if these days our traffic outnumbers our trees. Marketed in 1997 as a sensible alternative to SUVs, the Forester was boxy and basic. But Northwesterners saw its inner beauty: SUV-like traction and cargo utility, and carlike gas mileage and handling. It was dependable, safe and an easy size to park.
Auto123 (CA): 2009 Subaru Outback PZEV Review
Subaru is firmly committed to environmental protection. In May of 2004, the Japanese automaker inaugurated the first assembly plant in the U.S. that creates zero landfill material during the production process. However, Subaru had yet to offer environmentally-friendly powertrains in North America.
Things are about to change with the alternative PZEV system (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle). It's not a hybrid but an advanced combustion technology. In addition to the complete fuel-burning process, the PZEV has no evaporative emissions. Subaru even claims that the exhaust produced can actually be cleaner than the air outside.
Yahoo! Finance: Subaru Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of ESPN X Games 14
Subaru of America, Inc., and ESPN have announced that Subaru will be the exclusive automotive sponsor of X Games 14 to be held in Los Angeles, Calif. July 31 -- August 3. As part of the tie-in, Subaru will provide ESPN with a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX for the "Subaru Most Outstanding Athlete of the Games" grand prize award.
VFX World: CRASH+SUES Puts Pedal To The Metal For Subaru WRX STI Spots
CRASH+SUES editor Carrie Shanahan captured the turbocharged Subaru Impreza WRX STI's many ADRENALINE moments in a package of broadcast and web spots from Carmichael Lynch/Minneapolis. The dynamic commercials build upon the vehicle's rally car heritage, targeting consumers who want to be part of the WRX STI's tradition of speed and performance.
Truck Trend:
First Look: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Bigger. Better-Looking. Now Even More Cow-Capable.
Not many car press introductions are particularly memorable, but you have to hand it to Subaru for etching its new Forester's presentation onto the gray matter of its assembled scribes. The double-take came during the PowerPoint presentation when an image of a cow suddenly appeared on the screen, peering out from a current-generation Forester's cargo hold. Okay, maybe this isn't as indelible as Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction, but for a Forester intro, it's up there.
Crossover Comparison: 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Nissan Rogue vs. 2008 Saturn VUE vs. 2009 Subaru Forester vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4 The Frugal Five: Entry-level 'utes for the unwavering urbanite
"Cappuccinos?"Absolutely! The waiter at the Star Caf, just north of L.A. in Montrose, scribbles our order and hurries off to the espresso machine. Art St. Antoine, Ed Loh, Scott Mortara, Julia LaPalme, and I are going to need some seriously distillated java-juice to shake off our lunch-induced stupors and formulate some conclusions about these cars. Cars? Those would be the five compact SUVs we've parked nearby and are still occasionally popping and ticking to each other after pounding out evaluation loops, which have included swift climbs up Angeles Crest Highway, swifter descents, and several miles of choppy concrete freeway. Pull up a chair and listen in.

06/19
Automobile Magazine: 2009 Subaru Exiga
After teasing us with a series of shadowy pictures, Subaru fully revealed its newest crossover, the 2009 Exiga.We first saw the Exiga - albeit in concept form - at the 2007 Tokyo motor show. Sure, it was gussied up with the typical show car bells and whistles, but we were told the concept wasn't that different than the production vehicle.
Edmunds Inside Line: 2009 Subaru Exiga Makes Formal Debut
The 2009 Subaru Exiga, a minivan-ish seven-passenger crossover wagon, made its formal debut on Tuesday here. The Exiga was unveiled last fall as a concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show.
Cars.com: Subaru and L.L.Bean Part Company
After an eight-year relationship, Subaru and L.L.Bean, a retailer of high-end outdoor gear, have had an amicable split, Subaru spokesman Dominick Infante said.
Autocar (UK): Subaru unveils Exiga MPV
This is the new Subaru Exiga people carrier, which uses Impreza underpinnings but gets a stretched wheelbase to accomodate seven seats. The Exiga is Zafira-like contender for Japanese domestic sales, and is aimed at the country's booming minivan market.
Bloomberg: Fuji Heavy Unveils Exiga Minivan to Boost Japan Sales
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru cars, unveiled its first minivan in Japan as it aims to reverse slumping domestic sales.

06/10
iafrica.com: The king returns
Subaru boasts of how its rally-bred super saloon, which has incidentally just turned into a five-door hatch, is more sophisticated and refined than before. As far as we're concerned, it is in almost every respect, but that's not what we're really interested in. Subaru knew this, which is why the company set out to prove this to us by letting us media folk loose in a herd of their new beasts around Zwartkops raceway.
Bloomberg.com: Fuji Heavy Rises After Morgan Stanley Boosts Rating
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru cars, rose the most in two months in Tokyo after Morgan Stanley raised its rating because of better-than-expected sales on new models.
The Broadcaster: Subaru WRX geared to take critics along for the ride
I can't help but feel for Subaru. The purveyor of entertaining, all-wheel drive vehicles seems to be forever locked in combat and disagreement with its sharpest critics, who also happen to be its biggest fans. When the WRX got its first face lift in 2004, the Subaru loyalists hated it. When the design was revised in 2006, they hated it even more.
Autoblog: Australia gets market-specific Subaru Liberty GT tuned by STI
Subaru's Australian outpost is set to deliver a localized special edition Liberty GT (Liberty = Legacy) that's been upgraded with a laundry list of components from the STI catalog.
RedOrbit: Green Manufacturing
TWENTY YEARS AGO, the first joint venture between two Japanese automotive companies completed a new manufacturing facility in Lafayette, replacing green cornfields with a plant that would produce more than 2 million Subaru and Isuzu vehicles. However, few would have guessed that the site would also become a symbol of "green manufacturing" in the United States. Indeed, with all the emphasis on "green" products and lifestyles that seek to help the environment, Indiana's heavy manufacturing industries would seem to be an unlikely place to find such efforts. However, Subaru of Indiana Automotive and a growing number of other manufacturers across the state have been seeing green as a way to both help the planet and improve their bottom lines.
Nihon Car: New Subaru Legacy B4?
Those in Japan who didn't go for the excellent Subaru Legacy S402 may well be waiting for the next version of the Legacy. CarTop recently revealed a couple screenshots of what the new sedan might look like.

06/04
Autocar (UK): Prototype Subaru Legacy spied in UK
These spy shots shows two new cars in one picture - the bodywork is a cut-down version of the next Subaru Legacy, but underneath is the running gear and platform for the forthcoming Subaru/Toyota coupe.Motor Authority: Spy Shots: First images of Toyota and Subaru’s joint RWD sports car
Toyota and Subaru only confirmed in April the joint-development of a new affordable sports car and now we have the first images of actual prototypes caught while testing in a secret location in the UK. The new car will be sold by both Toyota and Subaru, although several reports claim the Toyota version will be exclusive to the Japanese market while the Subaru model will be a global version.
Autoexpress (UK): Subaru Impreza Coupe sets sights on BMW
It's the most stylish Subaru ever! And this striking Impreza coupé will go into production in 2010.
Joining the recently launched hatch-back model, it will allow the Japanese company to tackle the BMW 3-Series Coupé and Nissan 350Z head-on, as well as reach out to new customers.

05/21
Subaru: 2009 SUBARU FORESTER EARNS HIGHEST RATINGS IN NHTSA NCAP CRASH TESTS
Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the 2009 Subaru Forester earned the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests.  The Subaru Forester received five stars in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for all seating positions.
Jalopnik: Subaru Exiga Teaser Makes Us Want A 7-Seater Crossover... Kinda
Unless we're talking about an AMC Eagle or a Mega Track, we're not huge fans of crossover vehicles. But there's something about this Subaru Exiga that makes it feel acceptable. As we can see from this teaser, the new 7-seater looks to be significantly better looking than the B9 Tribeca.
Car (UK): Subaru Exiga: first pictures
Subaru doesn't like to follow the herd. It's why the Japanese car maker sticks to boxer engines and four-wheel drive where others pick the cheaper, simpler option. And when it comes to MPVs, it's the same story. Not for Subaru the big, boxy people carriers of the Lego building block school of design. This new Exiga, announced today with this sketchy teaser image, is more like a big estate than a sensible seven-seater.
Edmunds Inside Line: Japan-Only Special: Subaru Legacy STI S402
Subaru takes the Legacy to new heights with a new limited-edition STI model that will never be available in the States. Both sedan and wagon versions will be sold, equipped with the well-known Subaru turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine that lays down 282 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. This family car on steroids includes a variety of upgrades to spice up performance capability.
Washington Post: An Old Reliable With All-Wheel Power: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium Sedan
It was the second Sunday of May and the third day of rain. We drove past wet headstones and flowers marking mothers' graves. We were happy. We've had lucky lives -- great parents, now gone; good educations; good jobs and wonderful children. On this day, by comparison, we felt lucky for the most mundane reason. We were in the right car, the 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium sedan.
The Independent (UK): The Verdict: Finally, a boxer in the diesel division
It turns up without fail on Subaru's stand at every big motor show. It always looks exactly the same, but I invariably stop in order to admire it for a few minutes. It's a full-scale mock-up of Subaru's characteristic four-wheel drive power train in which the main components, including the boxer engines to which the company is so attached, are arranged in-line.
Auto123 (CA): 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Limited Review
Sized between an Impreza and a Legacy, the Forester has always been a versatile vehicle, yet it has never been a beauty, especially with its 2006 nose job. It's been function over form for the ten years of its existence, that is, until now. For the 2009 model year, the Forester gets a major redesign and is much more attractive. Okay, its exterior styling isn't drop-dead gorgeous, but the wagonesque SUV is no longer a wallflower. Svelte and muscular, with ribbed front and rear fenders, dual exhausts and higher stance, the new Forester draws many more stares on the road.
WTOV9 : Safety Improving In New Cars, SUVs
It may not look like cars change much on the outside from year to year, but crash testing is proving otherwise. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 37 cars, minivans and SUVs recieved the agency's Top Safety Pick award for 2008, a nearly three-fold increase from 2007's 13.
Motor Trend: STI tunes the Subaru Legacy for Japanese market
Subaru's STI performance arm has worked their tuning magic on their latest special edition called the Legacy STI S402 that unfortunately for us, will only be available to customers in Japan. Featured on the Legacy STI S402 is a slightly detuned version of the 2.5-liter turbo boxer engine used by U.S. and European-spec Impreza STI's that produces 282 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. 
Autocar (UK): Subaru Exiga MPV near launch
Subaru is now putting the finishing touches to the Exiga, the Impreza-based, three-row minivan which could launch in Japan as early as next month, sources say.
National Post (CA): Road Test: 2009 Subaru Legacy PZEV Wagon
For 2009, Subaru has introduced super-clean versions of its Legacy and Outback models. Looking at these cars reveals little out of the ordinary. In this case, the test car is a conventional-looking Legacy station wagon. Only the partial zero-emissions vehicle (PZEV) badges on the tailgate and the ones embroidered into the front floor mats speak to the differences. In all other respects, it is a "normal" car.
Groovy Green: Hypermiling in My Old Subaru…or "Life in the Slow Lane"
Well the price of gas has hit the magic $4/gal mark for regular in Syracuse, well, $3.999 to be exact. After the last fill up, I decided that I was sick of getting about 20 mpg or about 260 miles per fill up out of my old Subaru (a 2000 Forester). I decided to start trying out some basic techniques - I wouldn’t let the engine rev above 2000 rpm if I could help it. I would maintain a speed of no more than 3 miles over the speed limit, and no more than 60 mph. I wouldn’t accelerate into red lights, and would not idle the engine (except at traffic lights).I’ve traveled 245 miles since my last fill up, and the results so far are promising.
Autoblog: Subaru Outback wears its boxer diesel engine on the outside
While automakers spend huge amounts of money paying marketing firms to come up with memorable advertising campaigns, sometimes something relatively simple does the job just as well. Take this Subaru Outback. Dreamed up by Stan Palmer Sales of Carlisle, a Subaru dealership in the U.K., this particular Outback appears to be see-through and was developed to promote the marque's new diesel boxer engine, the first such engine in the world. An image in a Subaru brochure was snapped with an eight megapixel camera, blown up and plastered onto the full-sized car.
Motor Trend: UK dealer creates 'transparent' Subaru Outback diesel
Never one to follow the herd, for years Subaru has built cars that are just a little different from typical automotive fare. The 1989 Justy employed the first CVT transmission in a U.S. production car, and the exotic styling of the 1992 - 97 SVX still turns heads today. Now to promote the first ever boxer diesel engine offered in a passenger car, a Subaru dealer in the UK has created a special "see-through" Outback that shows off the automaker's mechanical innovation to the world.
Scripps: Check out the Subaru Forester
If Subaru didn't invent the crossover sport utility vehicle, it was right there at the category's dawn. In the 1970s, the Japanese manufacturer made a discovery: It's engines lent themselves to four-wheel drive cars. Subaru had been dedicated to the horizontally opposed engine, or boxer, in which the cylinders lie flat, feet-to-feet, on both sides of the crankshaft. Meanwhile, many automakers configure their engines to stand up or lean, in conventional in-line or V formats.
StarTribune: Subaru bolsters ties to Carmichael Lynch
Carmichael Lynch's $200 million Subaru account got a little richer last week when the automaker awarded its $20 million digital business to the Minneapolis advertising agency.
Motor Trend: The Frugal Five: Compact Crossover Comparison
"Cappuccinos?"Absolutely! The waiter at the Star Caf, just north of L.A. in Montrose, scribbles our order and hurries off to the espresso machine. Art St. Antoine, Ed Loh, Scott Mortara, Julia LaPalme, and I are going to need some seriously distillated java-juice to shake off our lunch-induced stupors and formulate some conclusions about these cars. Cars? Those would be the five compact SUVs we've parked nearby and are still occasionally popping and ticking to each other after pounding out evaluation loops, which have included swift climbs up Angeles Crest Highway, swifter descents, and several miles of choppy concrete freeway. Pull up a chair and listen in.
Nasdaq: AUTO REVIEW: 2009 Subaru Forester -- 4,590 Granola Bars
Subaru has taken its trusty pooch that was traditionally wrapped in box-like styling and added some French Poodle. It is almost as if the Forester was on an off-road adventure, kissed a frog, and is now ready to be displayed in Vanity Fair.
Motor Trend: Quick Drive: 2008 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited -Classy, sporty, and distinctive -- but not a WRX alternative
All in all, the Legacy 3.0 R Limited is a nice ride if you need a midsize sedan and want something less mundane than the typical Camry. Just don't expect the additional comfort and luxury the Legacy offers over the WRX without a performance sacrifice.

05/11
Adweek: Love: Does It Change Everything?
Considering the Japanese automaker has changed taglines and agencies numerous times in the last decade, you might be wondering what "makes a Subaru a Subaru." Turns out it's a four-letter word: love. In its first campaign for the brand, Carmichael Lynch has merely appended the previous agency's tagline with what makes the world go 'round.I give the CL folks credit for hanging on to the DDB phrase. By providing some continuity it shows they're putting the brand ahead of ego. This will be a multimedia campaign, although only the TV spots and a print ad were ready for review at press time. The TV work is solid, kindhearted, old-school stuff -- with a karmic twist. It will certainly appeal to those already enchanted with the brand. The question is if it's too mild to convert those who ain't feelin' it.
AdGabber: Jiggling Breasts Give Way to Jiggling Bellies in Subaru Commercial
Well it's about time for some equal time. Why should commercials which involve cars, water and soap suds combined into a slow motion sex-fest be reserved exclusively for hot young women in tiny bikinis that barely cover their pulchritudinous curvaceousness? That's just so...sexist. (Subaru Canada)
Autoblog: Subaru Exiga heading to production, teaser leaks out
We received word from a little birdie last week that Subaru was gearing up to release its brand-new Exiga into journalist's hands in Japan. Coincidentally (or not), a teaser shot of Subaru's new pseudo-CUV popped up on the NASIOC forum over the weekend and it's clear from the darkened profile that many of the elements from the show car have migrated over to the production model.
Auto Express (UK): Ultimate Evo and Impreza ready for battle
Two of Japan’s giants are set for a showdown. Mitsubishi and Subaru are unleashing hardcore versions of their four-wheel-drive flagships. Feast your eyes on the Lancer Evolution X MR and Impreza WRX STi Spec C. The Evo X MR – the badge stands for Mitsubishi Racing – gets a host of cosmetic upgrades, with extra vents and air intakes on the nose to improve cooling. There’s also a revised rear wing and side skirts, plus black alloys. The MR packs around 305bhp – that’s 20bhp more than the entry-level Evo X – which puts it on a par with the standard Impreza WRX STi.
Towerlight: Gas Money: Toyota, Subaru venture highly anticipated
So I was out in my old rust-bucket Supra on Loch Raven Drive this past weekend, trying to coax a little smoke from the rear tires. I revved it out to four grand, dumped the clutch and launched nice and clean, with no wheelspin whatsoever. But I could smell burning clutch through my open sunroof.
Detroit News: Hunky little STI muscle car is Subaru's brightest star
Not long ago, hatchback automobiles were about as welcome in the United States as zits on a teenager's nose. Never mind that they are way more functional than equivalent notchback sedans. They were reviled just the same. But times and tastes change, and now hatches are proliferating in batches, except that they now come with aliases like sport wagon and crossover. More surprisingly, they are now showing up in high-performance versions like the Volkswagen GTI and R32, the Mazdaspeed 3, the Audi A3 and the subject here, the 2008 Subaru WRX STI.
Tech-On!: FHI Details World's First Horizontally Opposed Diesel for Passenger Cars
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd unveiled the technical details of "EE20," the world's first horizontally opposed diesel engine for passenger vehicles, Feb 19, 2008. Some test-riding events for mass media were held for Subaru's Legacy sedan equipped with this 2.0-liter diesel engine in various parts of Europe, beginning in Spain in January 2008. But, in Japan, this is the first briefing session on the EE20.

04/21
Auto Channel: Toyota-Subaru Partnership Raises Marketing Questions
The AIADA newsletter reported that the new sports car that Subaru is making with Toyota will be a high-profile addition to the Subaru lineup. But the big question is how Subaru will differentiate its car from a Toyota-badged sister model.
Scoop (NZ): Subaru Forester Top Safety Pick
Subaru’s new Forester is the top safety pick among SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) in both New Zealand and the United States. The third generation Forester has a maximum 5-star occupant protection rating as measured by the independent ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme) crash testing. Forester also has a 3-star pedestrian protection (out of a maximum possible 4-stars). No other SUV of any size on New Zealand’s roads offers a combined eight star ANCAP rating
JCN Network: Impreza Gets Japan Safest Vehicle Award
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s <7270> Subaru Impreza has won Japan's safest passenger car award for fiscal 2007, the government said Monday. The Impressa, a four-door hatchback, proved best in terms of passenger and pedestrian protection among 15 passenger models that sold well in the past one year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said.
US News Ranking and Reviews: 2009 Subaru Forester Named Top Safety Pick
According to the IIHS, achieving the highest rating is tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements."  The IIHS makes the award more difficult to earn every year to push the auto industry to continue making safer cars.  For instance, for 2009 the Institute required that vehicles offer electronic stability control to be considered for the award.  That's a brand new requirement, but stability control is standard equipment on the Forester.
Motor Trend: 2009 Subaru Forester named IIHS Top Safety Pick
If you're in the market for a safe car, you could do a lot worse than the 2009 Subaru Forester, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The redesigned Forester has been recognized by the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick by earning the highest crash safety rating in front, side, and rear impact tests, as well as featuring an electric stability control system - all requirements for qualification.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: NEW CRASH TESTS: SUBARU FORESTER IS TOP SAFETY PICK
The redesigned 2009 Subaru Forester, a small SUV, earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award. Winners afford superior overall crash protection among the vehicles in their class. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Forester.
Autoblog: Subaru to stop making Kei Cars
Last week's announcement that Toyota wants to raise its stake in Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries looked to have no down side. Subaru gets $300 million with which to build a new factory, Toyota gets greater access to FHI's high tech batteries for hybrids, and both get to build the affordable RWD/AWD coupe that we're all waiting for.
North Bay Nugget: 2009 Subary Forester; No matter how it's categorized, the new Forester is bigger, better and better looking
Is the 2009 Subaru Forester really a sport-utility vehicle, or simply a wagon-bodied underling? The Japanese-based car company is cautiously hedging its bets on that question. Literature distributed during the Forester's reveal at January's Detroit Auto Show referred to the styling as "more SUV-like." That modest admission seems to indicate that Subaru feels it deserves to join the larger Tribeca as a junior member in the company's sport-utility grouping.
24.com (ZA): Tested: Subaru Impreza 2.0R
The Subaru Impreza has always been a bit of a dark horse that just so happened to strike it lucky with the playstation-generation on the small screen and a string of WRC thumpings in real life. The new Impreza does things a bit differently this time around, though.
Motor Trend: Long Term Arrival: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX
Exactly one year ago, our May 2007 cover of the all-new Subaru Impreza WRX lit the Interwebs on fire. It also ignited a still-burning debate about the value of embargoed vehicle launches, but only in the backbiting, internecine world of hack auto journalists.
Auto123.com (CA): A WRX for rational drivers
The redesigned 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX disappointed, if not shocked, some of the brand's hardcore fans. But the automaker had to see it coming. After all, the move to appeal to a wider audience was a risky one, as it could alienate a legion of buyers and admirers who literally grew up idolizing this model, which was launched about 15 years ago.
Edmunds Inside Line: Toyota/Subaru Sports Car Shaping Up
Even more encouraging is the persistent buzz in the Japanese media that the vehicle in question will be a small, inexpensive rear-wheel-drive coupe intended to sell in various global markets for less than $20,000.
Winnipeg Free Press (CA): Don't look so surprised: Subaru WRX may have lost its wide-eyed look, but still packs a punch
PITY poor Subaru. Like Rodney Dangerfield, it can't get no respect. When the original WRX hit our shores in 2002, it was thought an ugly little beast, with a stubby little trunk and bugged-out eyes.
Telegraph (UK): Subaru Forester: Reason to be cheerful
First drives of 4x4s and family cars telegraph.co.uk/motoring When I was a child, the family of my friend Ruby drove about in a Forester. It was largely occupied by Ruby's dog, a springer spaniel with a serious anger management issue. Ruby's mum drove Ruby and the snarling springer spaniel about, the heating always on full blast, windows closed and steamed up with the heat, dog spittle oozing slowly down the inside, making tracks in the condensation. The car reeked of wet dog, that cloying, sweet smell that makes you nauseous. I always turned down the offer of a lift to school, and Foresters have always meant "utility" in the basest sense of the word since.
Business Week: Toyota: Tighter with Subaru, Daihatsu
When Toyota Motor bought into Fuji Heavy Industries, owner of the Subaru brand, in October, 2005 (BusinessWeek.com, 10/5/05), industry watchers speculated whether the Japanese auto giant could do better with the partnership than General Motors. At the time, GM ended a six-year relationship with Fuji Heavy, selling its 20% stake for $740 million. Developments on Apr. 10 suggest that Toyota is right on track. Speaking at a Tokyo press conference, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe, flanked by counterparts from Fuji Heavy and Daihatsu Motor, Toyota's minicar maker, announced closer ties between the three companies.
Daily Gleaner (CA): Every 2008 Subaru rated 'Top Safety Pick' by IIHS
Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is proud to announce that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has designated every vehicle in the Subaru lineup as a 'Top Safety Pick' when equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, an electronic stability control (ESC) system
Forbes: Japan's Toyota group, Fuji Heavy deepen ties; Toyota to hike Subaru stake
Japan's largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. said Thursday they have agreed to expand their existing capital and business partnership, with Toyota hiking its equity interest in the maker of Subaru cars to 16.5 percent from the current 8.7 percent.
Motor Trend: Quick Test: 2009 Subaru Forester XT
The bulge. From the driver's seat, it makes the new Forester 2.5XT hood appear pregnant with added power. To the stopwatch, it's just one piece of the mechanical puzzle that drops the 0-to-60 time by a third, from 9.9 seconds to 6.6. The rest of the puzzle includes a new twin-scroll turbocharger, larger valves, a bigger intercooler-sum it all up you've got 224 horsepower. Which is, uh, exactly the same as the previous turbo engine. What gives?
Autocar (UK): Uncovered: the rear-drive Impreza
Toyota and Subaru are joining forces to develop a sensational new sports coupé together, shown above in an Autocar image. An inside source revealed top-secret sketches, showing that the car’s brief is to be compact, lightweight, rear drive and fast. Although the Subaru and Toyota versions of this coupé will look different from one another around the front and rear, both will be powered by Subaru’s 2.0-litre flat four engine, making this the first time that a Subaru boxer engine has powered a Toyota.

04/04
Courierpostonline: Subaru to stop its use of apes in commercials
Subaru of America Inc. is done monkeying around, promising to no longer feature chimpanzees and orangutans in its television commercials The automaker is the latest recipient of the Compassionate Business Award, announced Monday by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Subaru had cast a chimpanzee dressed in trunks and carrying a clipboard in a recent limited-edition spot for its Small Tent, Big Event Sale.
Forbes: A Tighter Clinch For Toyota And Fuji Heavy
Toyota Motor is reportedly planning to double its stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, aiming to use the production capacity of the Subaru maker to help it seize the position of world's largest carmaker.
JConline: Toyota expanding Subaru stake?
There are reports this week that Toyota Motor Corp. may expand its holdings in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. -- the parent company of Subaru. Toyota owns an 8.7 percent stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, and both companies separately denied a report in The Nikkei business daily they were considering raising Toyota's stake in Fuji to 17 percent.
Bloomberg: Fuji Heavy Jumps on Report Toyota Will Raise Stake
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru vehicles, jumped the most in more than two months in Tokyo following a report Toyota Motor Corp. will almost double its stake in the carmaker. Fuji Heavy rose 6.6 percent to 438 yen at the close of trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Toyota will raise its holdings to about 17 percent from 8.7 percent by buying treasury stock from the smaller carmaker, the Nikkei reported, without saying where it got the information.
Motor Trend:
Subaru, Toyota produced RWD sports coupe moving forward
The collaboration between Toyota and Subaru on a rear-drive sports coupe is getting past the rumor stage. The latest comes from Australia's Wheels magazine, who says it has confirmed from inside sources that the vehicle is in development, and that Subaru Australia wants no part of it.
Quick Test: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium
The 2008 Subaru Impreza boasts one of the largest (2.5 liters) and mightiest (170 horsepower) engines in its class, as well as standard all-wheel drive.
Automobile: 2009 Subaru Forester
Of the modern-era Subarus, the Forester has been the model that most closely reflects the character that the brand was built on: inexpensive, capable, utilitarian, slightly unconventional, and unconcerned with appearances. A Subaru among Subarus, this grungy earth child has been happily chugging along on the crunchy fringe of the compact SUV market. For 2009, the Forester has undergone a redesign that has made it larger, more SUV-like, and, well, more normal. And although the new Forester looks a lot different from the previous model, it manages to retain many of its predecessors' strengths while expanding its appeal.

03/27
Creativity Online: Upwardly Mobile- A Look at Mobile Marketing In Action and on the RiseCase Study: R/GA's campaign for Subaru of America for the Subaru WRX
Target: In introducing the 2008 redesigned WRX, Subaru's "The Legend Reborn" campaign was meant to target existing and new customers—specifically young men 20 to 35 dubbed the "man-child" demographic, those fond of partying into the night, video games and gadgets.

03/20
Forbes: Subaru shows off R1e electric car
Officials for Subaru of America Inc. on Thursday showed off the automaker's R1e electric car, saying that it's fun to drive while also being easy to charge and emissions free.
Cars.com: 2008 New York Auto Show: Subaru R1e
The Subaru R1e is an all-electric two-seat micro-car that can travel up to 50 miles on a charge at speeds up to 65 mph. A nearly full charge can take as little as 15 minutes to achieve when using a special quick charger, but it takes a lot longer — 8 hours — to achieve a full charge using a regular household power outlet. Subaru says the R1e's lithium-ion battery pack should last for 10 years/130,000 miles and cost less than $2 to charge.
C|net: Photos: Subaru adds Harman/Kardon audio
At the 2008 New York auto show, Subaru announced the addition of Harman/Kardon audio systems to its Legacy and Outback models. We take a look at, and a listen to, the new stereos at the show.
Jalopnik: Subaru Teams With Harman-Kardon For In-Car Audio
Subaru is now joins the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz by hooking up with Harman-Kardon for premium audio systems. I couldn't be happier. In a day and age where aftermarket audio is dying off, it's important to seek out the top-of-the-line manufacturers to supply in-car audio systems.
Carpages (UK): ‘I’m No Boy Racer’ Says Septuagenarian Scooby Fan
Could 77-year-old Ron Billingham be the oldest and most loyal Subaru Impreza turbo fan?Berkshire dealer, Bulldog of Twyford thinks so and with Ron taking delivery of the latest new-shape Impreza WRX STI Type UK – his sixth sporty Subaru – there seems every chance he could hold the title.
EcoGeek: Tiny Electric Subaru Prowling the Streets of New York
The Subaru R1 is a tiny little car. A two-seater built with efficiency (and Japan) in mind. The car was never really intended to make it's way out of the Japanese market. But now, with Smart Car reservations on the rise...Subaru might be changing its mind.
Niagara Falls Review: Looking sharp; 2009 Subaru Forester
Subarus have always tended to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary in their design changes. OK, there was that business with the first Tribeca, but, generally, quantum leaps are not part of the corporate thinking.Luckily for fans of the marque - and I should 'fess right up that I personally own a Forester - the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy is alive and well. But there's a maturing process afoot. A Subaru exec, talking at the launch of this third-generation Forester, likened the 2009 version to the highschool prom girl who suddenly becomes a woman
Popular Mechanics: 2009 Subaru Forester Test Drive: Gear Hauler as Practical as Ever, Now With Hippie Style
This ride has a seriously devoted following. You know the Forester people, don't you? They're those outdoors-y types who hunger desperately all week long for that three-hour mountain-biking mud slog on the weekend. You say "vacation," and these people say, "Let's take a 15-day backpacking trip in Yosemite." And camping to them means that they won't mind sharing the forest floor with all variety of clawed beasties
Car and Driver: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X and 2.5XT - First Drive Review
I have only one friend who drives a Subaru Forester, but I submit she fits the Forester mold: She is what MBAs would describe as an “urban adventurer,” often seen driving with her three blond-and-brownish pound-rescue dogs with indeterminate family trees. She has no immediate plans to drive the Yukon Trail but likes to know that if she had to, her Forester is ready.
The Scotsman (UK): Diesel do nicely for families
WITH our roads and weather, the ideal Scottish family car is probably an estate car with four-wheel drive and, given the higher fuel prices outside the Central Belt, preferably a diesel engine. Until now the choice has basically boiled down to either the Skoda Fabia Scout or, for badge snobs, the latest Audi A4 Avant, which for an extra seven grand offers a marginal improvement in performance and economy but will impress the neighbours no end. But that's all about to change thanks to Subaru, which now has a diesel engine that adds economy to its traditional strengths of all-weather performance and, so long as you change the oil and filters, near invincibility.
Autopia: Big City, Little City Car: Subaru's Quick-Charge R1e
Another plug-in electric car from Japan based on a popular production model, Subaru's groovy little R1e is a battery-powered version of the home-market R1 two-seat microcar.
Sport Compact Car: Project WRX V.08 - Still Kicking: Our Subaru Impreza WRX, back in black
For better or worse there has been a large amount of talk surrounding the newly updated 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX. The biggest complaint from enthusiasts? That it got soft. Gone are the bulging hood scoop, muscular fender flares and semi-aggressive face of the last generation WRX. What we have now is a much more conservative WRX that Subaru hopes will convince millions (or is it thousands?) of buyers to pick up a non-turbo base Impreza instead of a Camry or Corolla.
News.com (AU): New Forester on the money
Forester is the most highly decorated Subaru, notching up sales of 105,000 in Australia since the first generation spawned the compact SUV fad in 1997. In those first few years the Forester had few peers, racking up a host of awards and was unbeatable in the Queensland Car of the Year awards co-hosted by The Courier-Mail and the RACQ. It managed such award-winning pedigree on the back of an unflappable reputation to fuse on- and off-road manners with clever packaging. The third-generation Forester is open for business today – and Subaru is holding on to those core values that have made the wagon such an unmitigated success
Cars.com: 2009 Subaru Forester
In its first full redesign since the 2003 model year, the Subaru Forester has moved closer to the mainstream than some fans might have hoped it would. The old model's boxy charm has been toned down, and what's left is a compact SUV whose driving dynamics are on par with some of the nimbler players in this segment. A few Forester diehards may cry foul, but I suspect the changes will widen the car's appeal to the market in general. The SUV remains as practical as ever, but now boasts enough refinement to merit serious consideration from anyone shopping the latest Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
King5.com: Subaru rethinks styling in the 2009 Forester
If you're like me you know a number of people who own Subaru Foresters. It's practically the official car of the Pacific Northwest. Many of us like our cars, but Forester owners seem to love theirs. Not just love, I’m talking L-O-V-E. It could be the all-wheel drive (every Subie has it), or the utility that comes from putting a big box on wheels. Styling?  Hmmm … Even owners describe their Foresters as having more of an "inner sense of beauty." My friend Joan says hers is the automotive equivalent of sensible shoes. She’s not alone. Research by J.D. Powers finds that 42 percent of shoppers that considered a Forester took a pass because of the design. I suppose it’s better to be loved for who you are than what you look like, huh
Autocar (UK): Subaru WRX diesel for Britain
A senior brand insider has revealed to Autocar that Subaru UK wants to sell a hot diesel-powered version of the Impreza WRX in the UK. Subaru’s new diesel boxer engine, currently only on offer in the Legacy, is likely to be offered in the Impreza in its current state of tune before the end of the year – and Subaru has already hinted that more powerful versions of the engine will follow.
Auto123: 2009 Subaru Forester First Impressions
"We may be making a huge mistake with this off-road car," feared Subaru President and CEO, Mr. Katsuhiro Yokoyama when Subaru launched its first generation Forester 12-years ago. Such fear quickly evaporated as pragmatic outdoorsy types quenched their thirst for a frugal vehicle to handle all of their recreational needs.
US News: 2009 Subaru Forester Wins Over Press
Motor Trend drives the 2009 Subaru Forester, and reports, "The latest, third generation of Subaru's cult 'ute has dramatically pulled out its earplugs to its naysayers and made the changes that had to be made."  The 2009 Forester is larger than any of its predecessors, and "without a doubt, the majority of Forester shoppers are going to do a little jig when they see the greater capacity."  Despite the larger size, "the Forester's always delightful steering feel" is still present.  On the road, the two engine options "nicely balance the Forester's roughly 100 pound weight gain."  In addition, the Forester boasts "significant new safety features at base prices lowered from $700 to $1200, depending on powertrain and trim."
Motor Trend: First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester
Among its peers, Subaru's Forester has always been the "character" among its compact sport/ute fellows. You know, funny and erudite and all that, but a bit eccentric in a suspiciously self-conscious sort of way. Styling? Frumpy. Make that, proudly frumpy. And forget about suggesting it should have a more refined engine note. In Subaruville, roarty is music to the ears. Had Hollywood ever made a movie of the Forester's life, bow-tied George Plimpton would've been perfect for the part.
Jalopnik:
2009 Subaru Forester, Part One
Is it kismet? I suspect so, as over a few short weeks, a couple of themes have begun to emerge in our Jalopnik Reviews. First, Hardigree gets his hands on a Dodge Caliber SRT4 and loses a tire. Not two weeks later, I voyage to sublime Laguna Beach, and then to Catalina Island for some hoontastic off-roadin' in the 2009 Subaru Forester, and I kill not one, but two Yokohamas. Then Siler, too, visits the Golden West and lays down rubber in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI, only to discover that the definitive sport conveyance of reckless youth feels a tad out of place on freeways, as opposed to twisting backroads. Hello! I experience ditto while slinging the new Forester around on rocky, rutted, ill-mannered, road-like pathways, later discovering that the vehicle goes all petulant on regular asphalt byways. Flurry of coincidences? Hope not. I like to think there's a higher power at work.
2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two
Overall: ***
Not a perfect update to Subaru's most versatile vehicle--for many, the flagship of the brand--but a definite improvement that serves up outstanding value while coming off as more capable than the competition when the going gets rugged. Should expand the demo and appeal to a younger customer without sacrificing Subaru's legendary character.

03/07
Cardomain: When Is a Soft Roader Not a Soft Roader?
When soft roader in question is as complete and competent as is the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester. In a class populated by posers and wannabees, Subaru has literally taken the higher road with a completely new Forester that raises the bar in the increasingly competitive small CUV or crossover utility category. While some call these vehicles soft roaders, because their off-road abilities are so compromised, the Forester proves conclusively that this need not be the case; here’s a compact CUV that can play with the big boys.
Cars.com: First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester
Despite being 6 years old, the outgoing Subaru Forester is still a Cars.com Best Bet. Naturally, we had high hopes for the redesigned model that debuted at January’s Detroit auto show. Subaru invited journalists to Southern California to put the SUV through its paces on- and off-road, and I can attest that the updates keep it as competitive as ever.
DriveSouth (NZ):Subaru takes top AA award
The Subaru Impreza STI was the supreme winner of the AA motoring excellence awards. The awards, the Oscars of the New Zealand motoring industry, aim to identify and reward excellence amongst new vehicles and in areas of concern to motorists. They also provide the New Zealand public with an independent assessment to assist with car purchases.
Jalopnik: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, part one
I drove the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI backwards. Not in the reverse gear sense, but leaving Palm Springs it's only a very short climb up a straight, steep highway before you get to the kind of roads we car guys can usually only dream about. As state route 74 climbs up to Pinyon Crest, overlooking the Anza-Borrego state park, the road twists and turns, looping back on itself over and over again as it forms tight hairpins. Cliffs rise dramatically on one side and drop thousands of feet on the other.
National Post (CA): Road Test: 2008 Subaru WRX Sedan
Pity poor Subaru. Like Rodney Dangerfield, it can't get no respect. When the original WRX hit our shores in 2002, it was thought an ugly little beast, with a stubby little trunk and bugged-out eyes. Mainstream journalists and consumers liked its performance, but they distanced themselves from its looks. Too far out of the conventional, said they. Contrarians, as they always do, embraced what polite society rejected and made Subaru's little warthog a sporting cult classic. Sales may never have threatened the Civic's, but they were steady, and those who bought into the whole "so ugly it's beautiful" thing sure were loyal.
The Expositor: Small, AWD car is a slam dunk; Subaru's automatic is simply among the best at any price
AUnique Selling Proposition is every marketer's dream - an attribute that your product and your product alone has, which can then be flogged to the public. Subaru traditionally has had two USPs: One is the flat horizontally opposed engine, shared in the car business only with Porsche. Nice bedfellow, although if the concept's advantages were so blatantly obvious, you'd think it would be universal. The main claimed benefit (lower centre of gravity, hence improved handling) is very difficult to measure, let alone detectable by most drivers. Subaru's second USP is four-wheel drive, standard on every Subaru sold in this country for years. Even that is no longer unique, as just about every carmaker has at least some four-wheel-drive models. It is rare in the lower price classes, however, so if your radar is set on a small car with four-wheel drive, the all-new Subaru Impreza might be the only game in town.
Easier.com: Diesel at the double for Subaru
The arrival of the boxer diesel engine is likely to double UK sales of Subaru cars by 2010. Distributor IM Group is targeting 15,000 sales by 2010 – more than twice 2007’s level of around 7,000 units.
A major growth spurt is expected this year, as Subaru enters “the busiest period in its history”, said a spokesman. Subaru’s UK sales target for 2008 is 8,500 cars – itself a big leap on 2007. The all-new Impreza was launched in late 2007, and the first boxer diesel-equipped Legacy and Outback models are now on their way to customers.

03/05
Daily Times: Four wheel excellence: Subaru WRX
Even before Subaru introduced the vaunted WRX in 2001, it earned a reputation for all-wheel-drive excellence and durability that was seemingly endless. When the company became an all-AWD brand in the 1990s, people thought executives were crazy. Until sales rocketed upward. In no time, Subaru went from a well-respected automaker to a leader in performance. Completely redesigned for 2008, the WRX demonstrates why Subaru owners are pretty smart people.
Lafayette Journal and Courier: Impreza wagon leads the way for Subaru
Although the gain was very small, Subaru of America Inc. reversed the reports of most automakers by posting higher sales results in February when compared to the same month a year ago
c|net Reviews: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Last year we tested the 2008 Subaru WRX and were left hoping the STI version would make up for the suburbanization of the model. Well, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI arrived in our garage and set all our worries to rest. From our first look at the STI parked in our garage, we could tell that it was a pit bull compared with the cocker spaniel-like standard WRX. The smooth sides of the standard WRX get bulked out by meaty fenders on the STI, wide enough to make room for the 245/40R18 Dunlop Sport 600 summer tires wrapped around 18 inch rims. Big Brembro brakes sit in the rims, and special vents sit behind the front fenders ready to bleed off excess heat.
Inquirer.net (PH): Be foolproof vs unscrupulous casa mechanics
TIMES are hard, And some carmakers may be neglecting their technicians-the heart and soul of the casa business — but does that give a struggling or underpaid casa mechanic a license to, well, fool you? Let’s turn the question around: Will you give the opportunistic mechanic a good enough reason to put one over you with your cruelty or gullibility?
Business Week: Audi: Pedal to the Metal
Subaru’s oddball appeal makes it an attractive alternative to plain-vanilla import brands. Similarly, Audi buyers pride themselves on being independent thinkers. They’re not willing to pay a premium for a mere (read: Mercedes or BMW) hood ornament. They don’t like to see themselves coming and going. For Audi to make such a big jump in sales in such a short time, it’s going to have to mess with that core, niche-player appeal.
Mother Proof: Subaru Would Make a Great State Car
I recall sitting in Mr. Anderson’s elementary school class wondering who the genius was who decided every state needed its own bird, color, flower, song and tree. That bitterness likely stemmed from the fact that I had to memorize all the states, their capitals and, in some cases, their state motto. Little did I know then how easy I had it; these days, at least 20 states have designated a state amphibian, and of the 27 states that have designated a state beverage, 18 of them honored milk. Pennsylvania even named the Slinky its state toy. All that got me wondering about what kind of car my state would choose as its official vehicle. After a round of completely unscientific polling and observation, I concluded that Colorado’s state car would be a Subaru.
Consumer Reports: New Car Preview: Subaru Forester
CR's Take: This is the Forester's first full redesign since its 1998 debut. Since then, the market has changed and grown while the Forester remained a humble but competitive entry. The new one finally looks more like an SUV than a wagon. The redesign brings more room, especially in the rear seat; that shortcoming has always been the Forester's Achilles heel. We're happy to see that the Forester retains its practical squared-off body and compact dimensions.
Bankok Post (TH): Mazda 3 versus Subaru Impreza; which one can be both?
Five-door hatchbacks are perhaps the most practical form of four-wheel vehicle for a good number of earthlings
Boston.com: Less in-your-face, but still formidable: WRX wraps performance in a more civilized package
And there you have, in essence, the difference between the last version of the WRX and the new one. The former was more aggressive, while the new model takes the performance genes from that vehicle and repackages them in a variety of configurations designed to appeal to younger drivers on their way up in the world.

02/27
Chicago Sun-Times: The original crossover..Subaru Outback: Wagons ho’
The Subaru Outback is the Rodney Dangerfield of the crossover segment – no respect. Crossovers are THE hot segment as growth has been meteoric, approached only by the dramatic sales growth of hybrids … at least after each spike in gas prices. Subaru launched the crossover category back in the fall of 1994 when they introduced the Outback for the 1995 model year. Back then crossovers were actually called hybrids because they blended a passenger car unibody platform with SUV attributes like above-average ground clearance, a command-seating position and all-wheel-drive traction.
MarketWatch: Asian cars win again, says Consumer Reports: Honda, Toyota, Subaru top closely-watched list of best cars
Honda, Toyota and Subaru topped Consumer Reports' annual list of the best cars sold in the United States with Hyundai placing two models in the best of class categories.
Fox Business: Subaru Announces Pricing on All-New 2009 Forester
Following its world debut at the NAIAS in January, Subaru of America, Inc. today announced pricing on the all-new Subaru Forester. The 2009 Subaru Forester will arrive in dealer showrooms beginning in April with pricing starting at $19,995, a full $1,200 lower than the outgoing model.
Haaretz (IL): Japanese models are the most reliable used cars, says survey
Subaru Impreza, Subaru B4 and Toyota Yaris are the three most reliable used cars in Israel, and the Citroen Xsara is the least reliable - according to data collected by Autoserve and published here for the first time. The date refers to vehicles manufactured no later than 2005.
Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News (UK): New Forester and Boxer Diesel are Geneva stars
SUBARU'S Geneva Motor Show stand is set to be buzzing with interest thanks to the European debut of the completely new Forester and launch of the world's first boxer diesel-engined passenger car in the form of the Legacy and Outback.
AutoExpress (UK): Subaru strikes oil with new Impreza STI diesel
Have you ever hankered after a Subaru Impreza STI, but been put off by its poor fuel economy?
Well, a fresh alternative could be on the way. Auto Express has learned Subaru is planning a hot diesel version of its rally-inspired 4WD hatch.
Austin American-Statesman: Subaru's turbo squirt
The zippy Impreza WRX hatchback begs to be driven fast and hard, but aesthetic features often get short shrift.
Marketing Daily: Subaru Sponsoring Flower Shows
SUBARU, A CAR BRAND MORE associated with bicycle racing and all-wheel drive cars, is sponsoring some flower shows this month and next.
Automobile Magazien: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Does this mean that the STI has gone soft? No way. Ignore the complaints you'll no doubt hear about body roll and understeer - no one ever said the STI was a track car. Go beat an STI mercilessly on some insane mountain road, and you'll understand. You'll hear the subtle gear whine, you'll notice the endless suspension travel, and if you're patient enough to work through the turbo lag, you'll carve through bumpy, off-camber, blind corners at a rate of speed that would make a WRC driver smile. Sure, there are cars-especially in this lofty price range - that out-this or out-that the STI, but few have as much personality. In a world where so many cars, including Subaru's own WRX, are turning into lifeless appliances, it's the personality that counts.
USA Today: It's waste not, want not at super green Subaru plant
Subaru's giant assembly plant here is on track to produce 180,000 cars this year. Yet the automaker pledges that virtually none of the waste generated from its eye-popping output will wind up in a dump.
Copper-laden slag left over from welding is collected and shipped to Spain for recycling. Styrofoam forms encasing delicate engine parts are returned to Japan for the next round of deliveries. Even small protective plastic caps are collected in bins to be melted down to make something else.All told, Subaru says 99.8% of the plant's refuse is recycled or reused so it doesn't go to a landfill. That includes a small portion, about 5%, that goes to a waste-to-energy plant that burns waste to make steam to heat Indianapolis' downtown.
East African Business Week: East Africa: Subaru Targets Regional Market
Officials from the Japanese auto maker, Subaru, say the company plans to expand its operations in East Africa to lift its market share command. The company projects a sharp increase in sales after the successful launch of operations in the region given the high population expected to come with it.

02/17
Jamaica Gleaner: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Paradigm shift
Building a car is not an easy task. Creating anything for market is a time-consuming, exhaustive process, let alone something as complex and as diverse as a motor vehicle. Mass appeal cars are market-driven instruments of profitability, and are the manufacturer's bread and butter.
Failure here usually means the beginning of the end for the manufacturer, so great pains are taken to ensure that the model is successful. Mass appeal cars do not have the luxury of clean-sheet engineering. Profitability is the watchword.
Halo cars serve a different purpose. A halo car is not designed by a committee. Its sole purpose is to market the rest of the line by the consumer buzz created from how good it is. It is expensive to make and market, and usually sells at a loss to the manufacturer because of the amount of engineering that went into it (which is why they make so few of them). It represents clean-heat engineering, where the engineer's creativity is usually unbridled.
Auto123 (CA): 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 4-door Road Test
To tell you the truth, I'm somewhat biased toward the Impreza WRX. I love its ideal dose of power, solid handling and comfortable ride. Plus, the fully redesigned WRX is decidedly stylish with its new dress. For 2008, engineers aimed to make this sporty Subaru more civilized. Obviously, a few compromises had to be made...
Auto Express (UK): Subaru Forester: Japanese firm aims to inject quality and desirability to dependable Forester
It’s all change for the Forester. Sub­aru’s four-wheel-drive family favourite is best known as a boxy estate – but not any more...  The new car has dumped its predecessor’s look for a larger, SUV-style body, and it has Toyota’s RAV4 and the Honda CR-V in its sights.
NZ Herald: Diesel debut for maker's boxer engine
It's been a long time coming, but Subaru has launched its horizontally opposed (or "boxer") diesel engine. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's intended mainly for the compression-ignition crazy European market, and it's unlikely to land in New Zealand until next year
Telegraph (UK): Boxing clever: Subaru Legacy
Subaru has finally launched its first diesel engine and, in typically idiosyncratic fashion, it's not just any diesel. Beneath the bonnet of the unassuming Legacy Sport Tourer lies the world's first flat-four, horizontally-opposed "boxer" diesel.
Mercury News: Rally Rivals: Two of a kind that are, for the most part, too close to call.
The all-out war between international rally-racing titans Subaru and Mitsubishi spills onto the streets of North America this spring. Both automakers are unleashing hot new models that build on the success and strengths of their predecessors, and now we have the dirt on them (pardon the pun). The Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are stars in a class of two vehicles that combines the practicality of four doors with high-horse turbocharged engines powering all four wheels. Why? Just ask a rally fan.
Stuff (NZ): Subaru's diesel worth celebrating
Refinement is also the Subaru Boxer diesel's strong point, with official moving sound levels of 70.5 decibels compared to a Mondeo's 71dB, the Passat's 73dB and, amazingly, the Rolls-Royce Phantom's 72dB.
Car and Driver: 2008 Subaru Legacy, Outback 2.0D - First Drive Review: Feisty boxer diesel a first for a passenger car.
To Subaru, it makes all the sense in the world. The automaker's core technology is a horizontally opposed boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, and this unique drivetrain layout has made Subaru distinct for 43 years. Recognizing sales would never grow substantially in Europe without a diesel engine, Subaru faced an interesting challenge: Could it radically reinforce its existing engine architecture for diesel duty without making it too large or heavy to fit in a car?
Carpages (UK): Subaru Tribeca Gives Red Carpet Ride To Rich And Famous
Subaru’s premium Tribeca SUV is to give the red carpet treatment to the rich and famous thanks to a two-year deal with the De Vere Hotel group. Renowned for their space, refinement and cosseting ride, 17 Tribecas will be used to shuttle hotel guests from airports and railway stations to and from De Vere hotel and leisure locations.
Jamaica Gleaner: New Toyota Celica by 2009?
The next generation Toyota Celica will be available in two versions, a Celica GT and Celica GT-4. The GT should be powered by the 2.0-litre boxer and will be rear-wheel-drive, while the GT-4 receives the 300 hp 2.0-litre boxer from the Impreza Sti with Subaru's four-wheel-drive (including in-wheel electric motors for added power on the wheels). Further rumours are that Toyota may return to WRC with the new Celica.
Drive.com (AU): Subaru considers diesel WRX
Japanese maker Subaru may introduce a diesel-powered version of its hot hatch WRX. Subaru's first diesel engine has just gone on sale in its Liberty medium car in Europe and has won rave reviews. Britain's respected motoring weekly Autocar went so far as to say it may indeed be the best diesel it had ever driven.
Yahoo! Finance: Ready for Families: Subaru Outback Named a 2008 Best New Family Vehicle by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com
Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the intrepid 2008 Subaru Outback has been named to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com's first annual list of "Best New Family Vehicles." From a long list of vehicles that qualified in varying degrees as safe, roomy and affordable, the expert editors at Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com selected this year's 10 Best New Family Vehicles by evaluating each on such factors as capability, fuel efficiency, resale value, and the all-important kid- friendliness.
Stuff (NZ): Alphabet soup Subaru
If you watched the New Zealand A1 GP round last month, where New Zealand's Black Beauty gained the lead in the overall championship, you may have wondered what it would be like to take an ordinary car around the Taupo track.
Automotive News: Subaru dealers' hot button: Profitability
Factory gets praise for ad program, price repositioning
Phil Porter sees the fortunes of the Subaru brand from two perspectives. One of his two stores is in Connecticut, in one of the U.S. markets where Subaru is well-known. The other is in Florida, where Subaru is duking it out with other less well-known import brands for recognition. This month, Porter begins his two-year stint as chairman of the Subaru National Dealer Advisory Board.

02/09
Wall Street Journal: Still No Frills on Subaru's Cult Car
When the Subaru Impreza WRX made its U.S. debut in 2001, it seemed to herald a new era for car enthusiasts. An affordable performance machine that ran circles around cars costing twice the money, the "Scooby" was akin to a modern BMW 2002. The WRX presented itself as a smarter approach to going fast than anything else on the road, thanks to its ingenious all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Each new car came with a membership in the Sports Car Club of America, encouraging owners to get involved in competitive rally racing. Subaru was, and still is, a major sponsor of rallying, where drivers race against the clock along treacherous winding roads.
Sport Compact Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Fresh Start : Tuning The All-New Subaru WRX
America's Pacific Northwest has a long love affair with Subarus, going back to the days of the Brat, Justy and GL. When the WRX hit the market in 2001, the Northwest erupted like Mount St. Helens, becoming a real tuning hot spot for rally-bred street cars. In this hyper-competitive environment, Hillsboro, Oregon-based Perrin Performance stands out due to its use of leading-edge technologies and versatility as a tuner and manufacturer.
San Francisco Chronicle: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i: Two new body styles offer more space and style
The Subaru Impreza 2.5i for 2008 enters the marketplace with two new sophisticaed body styles that provide more room with additional refinement and comfort, as well as new advanced safety technology. Both new body styles appear on a longer wheelbase than their predecessors, with the new four-door sedan configuration larger than before, and the new five-door model replacing the previous wagon, yet combining sportiness with surprising utility. Both models are capable of transporting five passengers comfortably.
Trend News (AZ): Subaru may launch third WRX model
The Subaru WRX has always been a favourite of performance enthusiasts. Its combination of giant-killing performance, numerous World Rally titles and a relatively cheap price tag quickly earned it cult status around the world, and it also made it a halo model for the rest of Subaru’s lineup. Today we have two variants of the WRX, the standard model and the high-performance WRX STI, but soon there could be a third model positioned somewhere in between them.
Lafayette Journal and Courier: SIA donates car to Lafayette police
Subaru of Indiana Automotive donated a vehicle to the Lafayette Police Department Tuesday fulfilling a promise the company made several months ago.
Jalopnik: Subaru to build next Toyota Celica?
Those missing the RWD Celica's of yore can take hold of some gossip based on a rumor about the dead coupe getting revived with some mechanicals from the Subie parts bin.
Crash.net (UK): FIRST DRIVE: Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer diesel
Next time you see a Subaru Legacy in your rear view mirror, that sporty-looking bonnet scoop could be hiding something special. We’re all familiar with the performance Legacy variant, but now there’s a new model boasting a level of performance unheard of until now.
Yahoo! News Singapore: Fuji Heavy 9-mth profit up on strong overseas sales
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd , the maker of Subaru cars, reported a 2.4 percent rise in nine-month operating profit on Monday as growth in overseas sales cushioned a sharp drop in Japan, and it stuck to its annual forecasts.
Drivesouth (NZ): Battle for high-performance supremacy
However, four-wheel-drifting the STI around the Taupo race circuit will long remain a special memory.The Subaru seems tailor-made for a track; the kart-like nimbleness and steering made for stunning lap-ability.
National Post: Road Test 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Hatchback
At the introduction of the 2008 version of the Subaru Impreza, Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president, chairman and CEO of Subaru Canada, related a story that perhaps explains the radical shift in the car's style. At an airport, he was asked if Subaru was a French or Swiss manufacturer -- talk about having a serious identity crisis! The latest Impreza comes in from the stylistic fringe and runs in the heart of the segment.

01/29
Popular Mecahnics:
2008 Subaru Legacy Outback Test Drive: Is America Ready for World’s First Boxer Diesel?
Though it won’t be coming to the United States for at least a couple of years, Subaru unveiled its all-new, 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer diesel here this week. “This is the first diesel engine of this configuration ever installed in a production passenger car,” says Hirofumi Senoo, Subaru’s general manager for testing and development in Europe.
The Case for Diesel: Clean, Efficient, Fast Cars (Hybrids Beware!)
Today, diesel powertrains are on the map again, for both car manufacturers and efficiency-minded drivers. The technology could be here to stay, even if fuel prices (improbably) decline. The new cars run as well as their gasoline-powered competitors. And as for the emissions problems of the past—well, the dirty bird of fossil fuels isn’t so dirty anymore
C|net Reviews: 2008 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited
Among solid commuter cars such as the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, few offer the performance characteristics of the 2008 Subaru Legacy. We tested the top-of-the-line R Limited version, which comes with a 3.0-liter engine. Along with the car's all-wheel-drive system, paddle shifters, and transmission mode settings, the Legacy proved fun in the hills, while perfectly comfortable in traffic
NZ Herald: Scary speed with some style
From the only performance-car company brave enough to make pink its official colour comes what's being billed as the "ultimate hot hatch"- the latest Subaru Tecnica International (STI) version of the Impreza WRX. STI, a company far better at making sizzling supercars than spelling, has been churning out super-fast versions of the Impreza since 1994. Mention of the STI acronym conjures up visions of blindingly fast acceleration and backwards cap-wearing.
Auto123: 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B Road Test
The latest variation of the Subaru's Legacy has been a favourite within the walls of Auto123.com, a fact we have a hard time to hide. Turbo engine or not, every version of this mid-size sedan and wagon seems to offer a lot for the money.
Daily Record (UK): Subaru's Special Delivery
THEY often say that life has its ups and downs.
And none more so than if you happen to be Subaru's latest state-of-the-art transporter.
The amazing machine costs a cool six-figure sum and can accommodate six cars.
Business Week: The New and Improved Impreza WRX: The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX is better than ever. It has improved handling, brakes, and interior—and, oh, that turbocharged engine
Of all the Subarus I've driven, the new '08 Impreza WRX may be my dollar-for-dollar favorite (though I still lament the demise of the late Legacy station wagon (BusinessWeek.com, 3/27/07). Most buyers go with the sedan, but the version of the new Subaru (SBUOF) WRX I like best is the four-door hatchback, which is not only quick, sporty, and fun to drive, but extremely practical. The regular Impreza hatchback is an economy car; the WRX is a speedster that competes with models such as Mazda's (MZDA) Mazdaspeed3 (BusinessWeek.com, 12/3/07) and BMW's (BMWG) Mini Cooper S
Auto Express (UK): Subaru Legacy 2.0 TD Sport Tourer
Welcome to the golden age of the diesel. Hot on the heels of the world’s first-ever oil-burning supercar – Audi’s R8 V12 TDI (Issue 995) – comes the first flat-four cylinder turbodiesel unit. And it will be no surprise to learn that it’s Subaru which is responsible for the design of this unique powerplant.

01/22
CarKeys (UK): Subaru Diesel Arrives
Subaru will launch its first diesel models - 2.0TD versions of the Legacy Sport Tourer and Outback - to the UK next month.

UK and European Subaru sales have been harmed for some time by the fact that the company has not had a diesel engine to offer. The problem has been that Subaru is absolutely committed to a "boxer" engine layout for its self-designed cars (not including the new Justy, which is a rebadged Daihatsu Sirion).
LATimes: Its refining moment
The car you see on this page is subtle. No, seriously, ignoring the blown-out front fender deltoids, the heinous sacrilege of sport tires and roof-extending rear wing the size of a snowboard, and ignoring the Talmudic specificity of the name -- Subaru Impreza WRX STI -- there is a lot of nuance here. It's nuance fired out of a howitzer at point-blank range into your face, but you could still easily miss it. Yes, that's what impresses me after a rib-bruising half-hour with this 305-hp, all-wheel-drive samurai license-killer: its deep allusiveness and indirection. It's practically Pynchon-like.

Just Auto: UK: Subaru launches first diesels
The new engine is initially only for Europe and offered only in the Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback crossover models. The Boxer Diesel meets Euro4 emission standards thanks to oxidation catalytic converters, a particulate filter and exhaust gas recirculation. Top speed for the Legacy 2.0TD R Sports Tourer is 126mph with a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds. Fuel economy is 39.8/56.5 and 49.6 mpg on the EC combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 151g/km.
Dallas Morning News: STI gives WRX va-va-voom
Remember how pudgy and plain your old girlfriend looked at the last high school reunion, as if time had blurred her lines? And then you saw her six months later strutting through some tony downtown restaurant, and she was cut-and-buff, a woman suddenly with muscle and attitude and presence. That's the way I view the '08 Subaru WRX STI.
The Californian.com: WRX now an adult
After many years outside the United States dominating the rally car circuit, Subaru brought the Impreza WRX here in 2002 as a niche-market vehicle. Appealing mainly to hard-core car enthusiasts of the younger variety, the WRX was an instant hit and has only grown in popularity and sales since its introduction.
Car and Driver: Tested: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sedan - Short Take Road Tests- A mighty imprezzive small car.
Although the Impreza WRX is ever the lovable bad boy who attracts the cheerleaders’ adoration, it is the practical Impreza 2.5i sedan and hatchback that do the heavy lifting in Subaru’s showrooms. For 2008, the Impreza has undergone a makeover—for starters, it’s 4.5 inches longer—although its driveline is little changed

01/15
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